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Stripsenjochhaus

Stripsenjochhaus is an Austrian Alpine Club mountain hut and climbing base in the Kaisergebirge of Tyrol.

Last updated August 26, 2026

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Overview

Stripsenjochhaus is a historic Alpine club hut on the Stripsenjoch in Austria's Kaisergebirge mountain range. It occupies a strategically central position between the Zahmer Kaiser and Wilder Kaiser ridges, at the head of the Kaiserbachtal and Kaisertal valleys, and is situated at approximately 1,577 metres above sea level. Because trails and climbing routes radiate from the hut in several directions, it is commonly regarded as a central access point, or turning point, for travel through the Kaisergebirge. The facility is owned by the Kufstein branch of the Austrian Alpine Club. Its origins date to planning undertaken in 1899, followed by construction in 1902 and a ceremonial opening in the early summer of that year. The hut is among the older Alpine club shelters in the Northern Limestone Alps and has long served hikers, mountaineers and climbers visiting the region. Its importance is closely connected with the surrounding limestone peaks and walls, including well-known climbing destinations such as the Totenkirchl, Fleischbank and Predigtstuhl. Stripsenjochhaus provides overnight accommodation for visitors travelling through the Kaisergebirge. The facility has approximately 100 beds and 60 dormitory places, making it the largest hut in the Kaisergebirge according to the cited reference material. It is generally staffed during the main operating season from mid-May to mid-October. In addition to serving as a destination in its own right, it functions as a base for summit ascents, multi-day traverses and climbing tours. Approaches include routes from Griesener Alm, Hohenkendel, Kufstein through the Kaisertal, and Walchsee. Connections also lead to nearby Alpine huts including the Fritz Pflaum Hut, Gaudeamus Hut, Grutten Hut, Hans Berger Haus, Anton Karg Haus and Vorderkaiserfelden Hut. The building was modified, renovated and enlarged several times during the 1950s and 1960s. A supply cableway from Griesener Alm was also established during that period, supporting the hut's operation in a remote mountain environment. In 2000, a room fire caused damage to the building, and renovation work followed in 2001. The hut is currently managed by the second generation of the Fankhauser family from Ginzling in the Zillertal, although the available reference does not identify individual managers by name. The Stripsenjochhaus's identity is based on place, access and Alpine hospitality rather than on a conventional consumer product portfolio. Its principal offering is a staffed mountain refuge with overnight accommodation and a practical base for outdoor activities. The surrounding landscape, the hut's long history and its proximity to major climbing objectives give it a distinctive position within Tyrol's mountain-tourism infrastructure. Its activity is seasonal and closely dependent on weather, trail conditions and the summer Alpine travel calendar.

History

Stripsenjochhaus is one of the established Alpine club huts of the Northern Limestone Alps. The project was planned in 1899 by the Kufstein section of the Austrian Alpine Club, which sought to improve mountain access and accommodation in the Kaisergebirge. Construction took place in 1902, and the building was formally opened in the early summer of that year. Johann Tavonaro served as its first tenant and remained associated with the hut until 1925. The hut was built on the Stripsenjoch, a mountain pass linking the Zahmer Kaiser and Wilder Kaiser ridges. At about 1,577 metres, its position places it near the upper ends of both the Kaiserbachtal and Kaisertal valleys. This setting made the hut useful not only for walkers crossing the range but also for climbers approaching the area's extensive limestone walls. Over time, Stripsenjochhaus became a recognised base for routes on and around peaks such as Totenkirchl, Fleischbank, Predigtstuhl, Ellmauer Halt, Goinger Halt and Ackerlspitze. During the 1950s and 1960s, the building underwent several rounds of modification, renovation and extension. These works adapted the historic refuge to increasing demand from hikers and climbers and improved its ability to operate as a larger staffed facility. A supply cableway from Griesener Alm was established during the same broad period, helping transport provisions and operational supplies to the mountain location. The hut suffered a room fire in 2000. The damage was addressed through renovation in 2001, allowing the facility to continue its role as an Alpine refuge. The cited material describes the current operation as being managed by the second generation of the Fankhauser family from Ginzling in the Zillertal, while ownership remains with the Kufstein branch of the Austrian Alpine Club. Today, Stripsenjochhaus operates primarily during the main Alpine season, from approximately mid-May to mid-October. It has around 100 beds and 60 dormitory places and is described as the largest hut in the Kaisergebirge. Visitors can reach it from Griesener Alm in roughly one and a half hours, from Hohenkendel through Kohlalm and Feldberg in about three hours, from Kufstein through the Kaisertal in about four hours, or from Walchsee by routes over the surrounding alpine pastures and saddles. The hut also forms part of a network of crossings to neighbouring refuges, with routes varying from comparatively easy descents to demanding passages through the Steinerne Rinne and Ellmauer Tor. Its historical significance rests on continuity of Alpine-club stewardship, its central geographic position and its longstanding connection with climbing in the Kaisergebirge. Rather than functioning as a mass-market hospitality brand, Stripsenjochhaus remains a specialised mountain refuge whose service proposition is shaped by seasonal access, hut accommodation and proximity to prominent hiking and climbing objectives.

  • 2001

    Post-fire renovation

    [1]

    Renovation work was completed following the previous year's fire damage.

  • 2000

    Room fire damages the hut

    [1]

    A fire in one of the rooms caused damage to the building.

  • 1960

    Supply cableway established

    [1]

    A supply cableway from Griesener Alm was built during the period of post-war modifications and extensions.

  • 1950

    Modernisation period begins

    [1]

    The hut was modified, renovated and extended several times during the 1950s and 1960s.

  • 1925

    End of Johann Tavonaro's first tenancy

    [1]

    Johann Tavonaro, identified as the hut's first tenant, remained in that role until 1925.

  • 1902

    Stripsenjochhaus opens

    [1]

    The hut was built by the Kufstein section of the Austrian Alpine Club and ceremonially opened in early summer.

  • 1899

    Planning begins

    [1]

    The Kufstein section of the Austrian Alpine Club undertook planning for a mountain hut on the Stripsenjoch.

Products and positioning

A historic, centrally located Alpine Club refuge positioned as a practical overnight base and climbing hub in the Kaisergebirge.

  • Hospitality

    Alpine overnight accommodation

    The hut provides seasonal overnight accommodation for hikers, mountaineers and climbers. Its capacity is described as approximately 100 beds together with 60 dormitory places, making it the largest mountain hut in the Kaisergebirge in the cited reference.

  • Outdoor tourism

    Climbing and mountain base

    Stripsenjochhaus serves as a base for numerous climbing routes and mountain ascents in the Kaisergebirge. Nearby objectives include the Totenkirchl, Fleischbank, Predigtstuhl, Ellmauer Halt, Goinger Halt and Ackerlspitze, with routes ranging from easier walks to technically demanding climbing tours.

Brand decisions

  • 2001

    Post-fire renovationOther

    Background

    A room fire in 2000 caused damage to the historic mountain hut.

    Action taken

    The building was renovated the following year.

    Aftermath

    The hut continued operating as an Alpine Club refuge and seasonal base in the Kaisergebirge.

Sources2 sources

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